The annual Firefighter Parade during the Chenango County Fair steps off at 7 p.m. Wednesday Aug 12. Pictures from last year’s parade. (Photos by Tyler Murphy)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Fair officially opens today, Wednesday, Aug. 12, for its 179th year of tradition and celebration. Wednesday acts as the first Children's Day and a free admission day for all visitors. One of the biggest highlights of opening day is the Firefighter's Parade, a longstanding fair tradition that brings fire departments, school groups, and community organizations together in a show of pride.

While the fair opens at noon with a variety of entertainment and events including October Rose, the Dinosaur Takeover Show, and the Fair Pageant, the parade steps off from the center of Norwich at 7 p.m. Spectators can watch from the streets, then take advantage of the free admission on opening day sponsored by NBT Bank.

This year's parade carries special significance as it honors Roger Chase, who will be recognized as Grand Marshal for his 50 years of dedication to presenting the parade and representing the Chenango County Fair. Following the parade, there will be a drumline competition with three schools competing, Schenevus Charlotte Valley, Morris, and Laurens.

Children's Day and the new Passport Program

Opening day also features the first of two Children's Days, those being Wednesday and Saturday, Aug. 15. Children's Days offer free admission for kids 12 and under until 5 p.m., and Coleman Brothers Shows will offer discounted ride wristbands.

On these days, families can take part in the fair's passport program, brought back this year to help children explore the agricultural exhibits.

“In addition to coming and having fun, there are things to see, and do, and learn,” said Mary Weidman, president of the Chenango County Agricultural Society.

Children will receive a punch card “passport” with six designated stations across the grounds, including livestock barns, the exhibition hall, and educational displays. Once the card is completed, the punched passport can be redeemed for a free ride ticket.

“Beyond the fun of earning a ride, we hope children learn to look closer at where their food and fiber come from, discover the incredible variety of agriculture right here in Chenango County, and gain a genuine appreciation for the hard work and dedication that local farmers and 4-H youth put into their projects every single day,” said Craig Brown, association executive director of CCE Chenango.

CCE, or Cornell Cooperative Extension, is involved with the fair through collaboration with the Chenango County Agricultural Society and its 4-H programs, where children get hands-on learning experiences related to agriculture.

4-H at the Fair

For many families, the Chenango County Fair is synonymous with 4-H. The partnership between CCE and the fair stretches back more than a century, built on a shared mission to celebrate the county's agricultural heritage.

For 4-H members, fair week begins before the public arrives. Judging begins on Monday for nonperishable and perishable projects; Tuesday brings pet shows and the dairy cattle showmanship event.

“Once Wednesday hits and the fair is officially open to the public, 4-H members are everywhere, keeping the energy high and the barns humming,” Brown said. “In many ways, 4-H youth are the absolute heart of the fair.”

A majority of the youth participating in livestock shows are 4-H members, and in some cases, every exhibitor is part of the program, according to Brown. CCE members help operate and organize 11 animal species shows throughout the fair. Their involvement gives visitors a chance to see firsthand the dedication and care that goes into raising and showing animals.

“That active participation from our kids shapes the entire atmosphere of the fair, filling it with youthful enthusiasm, agricultural pride, and a true sense of community spirit that visitors can feel the moment they walk onto the grounds,” he said.

4-H's impact extends beyond livestock with many non-animal exhibits, from gardening and household arts to STEM as interest continues to grow. Brown said 4-H youth are increasingly interested in sustainable gardening, native plants, sewing and textile work, tractor safety, and conservation projects. These exhibits highlight the breadth of 4-H’s educational mission, which focuses on experiential learning, responsibility, critical thinking, and leadership.

At this year's fair, CCE and 4-H offer a variety of exhibits and activities for fairgoers to take part in, including interactive cooking, crafts, and science demonstrations. This means things like ice cream making, reusable bag crafting, solar pizza oven construction, and taste testing. There will be a variety of activities that everyone can get involved in. CCE's 4-H Leaders and Volunteers Association also helps run Chapman Hall, where the community can purchase affordable quality food.

“More than anything, we want fairgoers to see the incredible heart, dedication, and year-round work that our youth and volunteers pour into these exhibits. When you walk through the barns, view the non-livestock projects, or try out the new passport program with your kids, we hope you take a moment to talk to the exhibitors and ask questions,” Brown said. “Behind every single project, animal, and display is a young person learning responsibility, building life skills, and discovering a deeper connection to our local agricultural community. We want visitors to feel that sense of community pride, celebrate how bright our future is with these kids leading the way, and simply have a wonderful time experiencing the absolute best of Chenango County agriculture.”

A Celebration of Community and Tradition

For the Chenango County Agricultural Society, founded in 1847, the fair’s longevity is a point of pride and a reflection of its mission: to promote public awareness of the agriculture industry, coordinate with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) to provide youths with experience in agriculture, and present the annual county fair, providing a place to showcase local livestock, products and entertainment.

“The fact that we've been a fair for 179 years, and that there are families and people that are still willing to donate their time and continue the history of the county and continue to put on displays that are necessary. I think we're proud of that,” Weidman said.

The Chenango County Fair has long served as a gathering place for families, neighbors, and visitors returning home for the summer. Opening day, with its parade, children's programming, and full slate of entertainment, sets the tone for a week defined by tradition and community connection.

“Several of the board members met their future partners and spouses at the fair when they were young, and certainly developed really good friendships over the years,” Weidman said. “It's kind of been a gathering spot in August for people to get together who are home from college, and several classes have had their reunions here over the years,” she added.

For many, the fair is a chance to reconnect with neighbors, local agriculture, and the familiar sights and sounds of summer in Chenango County.

“It’s a central opportunity in Norwich for people to get together, have some fun, have some good food and take a look at all the different things that they remember about home and just enjoy themselves,” Weidman said.

Looking Ahead

With the fair running through Sunday, Aug. 16, visitors can expect a variety of classic entertainment and activities including tractor pulls, wrestling, concerts, livestock judging, horticultural displays and a demolition derby that traditionally closes the weekend.

You can find the full event schedule at chenangofair.com.

Outside of opening day's free admission, gate prices for ages 13 and up are $8, for youth ages 6-12 it's $5, and children 5 and under are free.

Wednesday and Saturday are Children's Days, offering free admission for those 12 and under. Thursday, Aug. 13, is Senior Day, when seniors 60 and up have free admission and there will be special tents and tables featuring community resources.

As Weidman put it, “It's a very inexpensive way to spend time locally and see what's going on in our county and have some opportunity to visit entertainment that's not here all the time.”